Catholic Bishops of Mexico Clarify - There is No Approved Mayan Rite of the Holy Mass

The Mexican Bishops’ Conference (CEM - pictured above from their FB Page) released a statement on November 24th clarifying that there is “no such thing” as a Mayan rite. The Vatican recently released adaptations to the Ordinary of the Mass approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. On November 8th, the Vatican issued a recognitio, endorsing the “adaptations to the Ordinary of the Mass in Spanish” for the Tseltal, Tsotsil, Ch’ol, Tojolabal, and Zoque ethnic groups of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in the Mexican state of Chiapas.

The bishops' statement explains that the recent adaptations to the Order of the Mass approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments entail only three approved adaptations, according to an unofficial translation.

“There is no such thing as a ‘Mayan Rite’ or a ‘Mayan Mass,’” the document states.

The adaptations are three optional changes: the ministry of the principal, the ministry of incensation, and assembly prayer moderated by the principal. The adaptations are optional, only applicable to specific indigenous communities in Mexico, and do not consist of a new rite.

The bishops explain that the principal is a person “recognized by the community who collaborates during specific moments of communal prayer as a kind of guide or monitor.”

The principal “act[s] exclusively at the invitation of the priest presiding over the celebration,” and “invite[s] the assembly to pray aloud at certain moments during the celebration.” The bishops wrote that “at no point” would the person preside over the Eucharist.

The principal only “moderates” assembly prayer insofar as he, under the presiding authority of the priest, “invites the assembly to pray aloud, offering their personal and communal intentions to God.” These prayers may occur at the beginning of Mass, after the greeting, during the prayers of the faithful, or in the prayer of Thanksgiving, after Communion.

“During the prayer of thanksgiving, following communion, this prayer may be accompanied by bodily movement in rhythm with its own music,” the Bishops add. “This is not to be considered a ritual dance but rather rhythmic swaying of the body.”

The bishops wrote that the ministry of incensation “incorporates the traditional use of incense unique to these communities.” Incense may be used at certain points during the liturgy, and the diocesan bishop is responsible for choosing who will administer the incense.

The Bishops note that the adaptations approved none of the following: any “Mayan rite,” ritual dances during the celebration, a Mayan altar, “prayers directed toward the cardinal points,” or “delegation of the liturgical presidency to laypersons.”

Since adaptations are optional, their use will occur over time. Priests and pastoral assistants will be trained to ensure appropriate implementation, preserving both pastoral sensitivity and liturgical norms. 

Sources: CEM (Catholic Bishops of Mexico), Catholic Vote, Zenit